Graduation Party

Graduations are huge events. They are significant life events that foretell change. They mark endings and stand at the precipice of new beginnings.

I had the opportunity to celebrate Trevar's high school graduation over the past few days. I enjoyed golfing with him and watching him walk across the stage to the cheering of his adoring family and friends. Yesterday was the blow out party that saw four generations of family gather in celebration.

And now comes the hard question, what next?

It doesn't need to be answered right away, but the opening sentences in the next chapter are being written.

The morning after the party isn't the time to write too many words of the dawning chapter of life, but after the celebration is over life begins again.

It is the way of life. The ending of one chapter is the beginning of the next.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Route 15 near Mansfield, PA

Everything goes better with Coke

Ginger with Coke

After a long and stressful day full of visitors and unusual activity, Ginger, the chocolate lab needed some alone time to consider life and have a Coke.

Everything goes better with Coke! Well that's what the ads say.

It was actually humorous because she nabbed the partially full Coke bottle from Chris and took the top off before chewing it up. We are not sure what happened to the liquid, but as she has a history of doing this to water bottles and we expected her to have a reaction when she tasted Coke instead of water.

She liked the Coke. Note to self, don't leave my Coke bottles lying around.

I wonder if she likes Diet Coke, too?

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Friday Evenimg

Trevar Teeing Off
June 24, 2016
Newman Municipal Golf Course
Ithaca, NY

Sitting around after a busy day playing some lawn games. It is a idyllic day. I played golf in the morning with the recent (last evening) graduate Trevar and am spending the evening with family and games.

It is nice to be able to get away from the grind and enjoy some time off.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Ithaca, NY

Return of the Mudslinger(s)

After what seemed like a too short respite, the political mudslinging has returned.

Yesterday was particularly vile with multiple attacks form both sides on the other candidate.

There was also the side-show in the House of Representatives as some Congressmen staged a 60's era sit-in. I was a bit appalled, has our government been reduced to sit-ins and demonstrations when votes should be taken and tabulated?

The political section of the New York Times reads like a report from the front lines of Afghanistan with one candidate taking shots and the other returning fire.

It is artificial drama!

While some talk about the race to the White house, it seems more like a school yard brawl.

I wish the personal attacks would cease and some real plans be put on the table to discuss. 

Bottom line? It's business as usual in D.C.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

When the Weather Turns Ugly

The Baltimore region experienced some ferocious thunderstorms which included a tornado yesterday. 

The normally balmy weather turned ugly and the power of the storms was clearly evident.

House Damaged During Storms
June 21, 2016

An EF-0 tornado touched down in the western part of the county causing a lot of damage. Trees were felled, one into a house. The owner of the house, however, put it in perspective by relating that two of his children were in the house at the time, one of them in a rooms that the tree fell into and they both escaped without injury. That was what was really important. The damage was secondary, the safety of his family was primary. 

Keeping loved ones safe is critical.

For my part, I expected the pool to be a mess, but it really was not too bad. The area of the county in which I live seemed to escape the worst of the storm. Yes there were leaves everywhere, but not the kind of damage experienced elsewhere. 

The storms were a reminder of the raw power that they contain. They deserve respect.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

My Take: Who Will Speak Up?

I have been shocked by the apparent mood in America which would condone discrimination and the exclusion of particular identifiable classes of people from the protections of The Constitution.

There are some in the country who want to build a wall, exclude certain religious classes of people from entering the country, and limit other classes of people from access to public services.

This concerns me and as I was turning these proposals over in my mind, I was reminded of a statement that I learned many years ago. 




The words are from by Martin Niemoller, an outspoken protestant pastor.  

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

My Take: There are parallels to America today.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - June 20, 2016

1. Summer arrives today! Finally. It seems like my favorite season took an especially long holiday.

2. Cleveland has its first champion since 1964. That is a long time to wait. Congrats to the Cavaliers for coming back and winning the NBA championship. 

3. I hope all the fathers had a great father's day. I certainly did. Played golf, watched golf, watched baseball and was introduced to Oculus Rift. 

4. The end of year party for the staff at Chris' school was a smashing success.

5. Is it just me? Or did we just have a weekend without political sniping dominating the news? I did not see other one of the presumptive nominee's names on the front page of the New York Times this morning.

6. The lingering effects of plutonium exposure are detailed in New York Times article this morning about the 1966 accident in the skies over Palomares, Spain and the subsequent clean-up and cover-up by he Air Force. 

7. The Orioles remain atop the AL East after 10 consecutive games against key rivals in the division! 

8. The US Open was a couple of long days of golf. Congrats to Dustin Johnson for overcoming adversity and the officials to win the championship.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Happy Father's Day 2016

For all the Dads out there--this is your day. A day to be remembered for the long nights and the patient hours it takes to be a Dad.

For all the kids out there, I hope you had a loving Dad like I have.

As a Dad of my own, I recall some highlights of being a Dad(in no particular order, just stream of consciousness).

Midnight feedings and diaper changes.  

Making two trips every evening over tight German roads to got to and from basketball practice. 

Looking at the twinkle in my daughters eye as she worms some new dress or other object out of my heart and wallet. 

Being a band camp parent dragging two coolers of sodas, or during the cold season hot chocolate, to the home AND away football games so that the band was well taken care of.

Racing out on a Christmas Day to find a new power supply for a computer.

Walking my daughter down the aisle on her wedding day.

Officiating at Patrick's wedding.

Hearing Jeremy recount how the delivery room cracked up at the mention of the words, "Luke, I am your father."

Fixing whatever was broken. Finding whatever was lost. Trying to smile when I wanted to scream.

Teaching kids sports, instruments, and math.

Crying when Chris and I left them alone at college.

Rejoicing with my kids, crying with my kids, and being there for them whether by changing brakes for an afternoon on the car or going to a ball game.

Being a Dad is a calling and it is not for everyone. It is a tough job and it never ends. It just gets better when the relationship matures from parent to coach to friend.

And then to grandparent. But that's a story for another day.

So to all the Dads, and to all the kids, and to all the wives and mothers who put up with the Dads and the kids--here's to you.

Happy Father's Day and Thank you for being you.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

End of School Year Party

Ready for The Party
June 17, 2016

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) school year ended yesterday. 

School is out for the summer. 

Chris and I hosted the end of year party for the staff of Line Kiln Middle School. A chance for the teachers and staff and their families to gather around our pool and decompress after the trials and tribulations of the  school year past.

I enjoy hanging out with them and hearing the stories and getting a reality check about life and working conditions in a place other than where I work. 

The party was a great success. Hosting the party gave Chris and I a deadline to complete many projects. And we did! The pool was pristine, the lawn neatly mowed, and I even ensured that the hole in the wall where the new faucet had been installed was completely repaired.

I have to admit, when all they wished each other a good summer as they departed, I was a bit sad--I have to work! I don't get seven weeks off to reconnect with life outside of work. 

But, then, I don't have to put up with kids every work day. 

Happy summer vacation! Enjoy it. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Promotion Fly-up

State Senator James Rosapepe Addressing the
Waugh Chapel Elementary 5th Grade Class
June 16, 2016

I attended the 5th grade promotion fly-up ceremony for my grandson Ethan yesterday who is leaving the halls of Waugh Chapel Elementary School and transitioning to middle school after summer vacation. It is hard to believe that he is now a middle schooler and moving so quickly into the next realm of growing up and his education.

Ethan Receiving his Certificate of Promotion

It was a surprisingly touching and well planned ceremony to acknowledge the completion of the elementary curriculum.

I was very impressed that a State Senator gave the opening remarks and that the assembled family and friends. The teachers worked their way through a myriad of awards and I was happy that Ethan collected quite a few awards recognizing his attendance and contributions to the school. 

I took a quick video of Ethan's arrival for the ceremony. I found it interesting that he was the next-to-last student to be seated. But at least i could keep an eye on him during the proceedings. It was fun to watch the look on his face, almost in disbelief, as he was announced as a winner of the President's Award for Educational Excellence. It was priceless!

It was an exciting day and I was happy to be included. Everyone deserves to have days devoted just to themselves to recognize their accomplishments and yesterday was Ethan's. 

Congrats Ethan! I am looking forward to celebrating many more achievements with you!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD